Yorkshire won’t stop Gillespie if Big Bash comes calling

Daniel Gregory

Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s chief executive Mark Arthur has confirmed that he will not stand in the way of first team coach Jason Gillespie pursuing an opportunity to coach in next season’s T20 Big Bash League (BBL) alongside his coaching commitments at Headingley.

With a number of franchises looking for new coaching appointments, reports in Australia suggest that Gillespie is now the man in pole position linking him to a number of the top jobs in what is regarded as one of the strongest domestic T20 competitions in world cricket.

“I am enjoying working at Yorkshire and we have lots of exciting challenges ahead, which I am very much looking forward to,” said Gillespie, who led Yorkshire to the County title in 2014.

“I would be happy to chat to interested parties in the BBL regarding coaching opportunities if they feel that I can add value to what they are endeavouring to achieve.

“The important aspect is that Yorkshire are happy for me to pursue an interest in coaching during the next BBL campaign. Martyn Moxon (director of cricket) and Mark Arthur (chief executive) see the benefits of testing myself in a developed competition and how that experience will benefit Yorkshire going forward.”

Arthur believes that 39-year-old Gillespie is amongst the top elite coaches in the world and developing his credentials in the cut and thrust of the BBL can only enhance the club’s standing in world cricket.

“We will not stand in Jason’s way if he was to be approached by a BBL franchise,” said Arthur.

“We see it as a positive, which will enhance our reputation as a leading club across the world. Having our coach immersed in the BBL would gain invaluable insights into a competition that is highly rated. It will also give us a refined approach in our efforts to be successful in the NatWest T20 Blast competition.

“Jason is one of the most sought after coaches in the game and his approach and standing in the dressing room is helping us to become a very competitive side across all formats. He is very ambitious, but he is also fully aware that there is still also a lot of work to be done at Yorkshire.”

At least two BBL franchises are looking for new coaching personnel. Brisbane Heat are in the market for a new coach after Stuart Law left the Queensland club this week and Melbourne Renegades, captained by Yorkshire’s overseas star Aaron Finch, are looking to replace Simon Helmot.